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dr_phil_physicsWow. First we had a World Cup that Americans watched and paid attention to -- even after the short but successful run by the American team was over.
And now we've just finished Stage 21 and the 101er Le Tour de France, Live From Paris on NBCSports.
-- Vincenzo Nibali wins the Yellow Jersey. He led for most of the Tour, 7 minutes 32 seconds ahead -- and something like the biggest margin of victory since 1977.
-- Marcel Kittel won his fourth stage and a repeat of his 2013 Stage 21 win.
There are so many victories along the way. There was a run to be the man leading the race at the bell, the last lap. Points in Sprint zones and King of the Mountains climbs. Stage wins. Yellow, Green, red & white Polka Dot and White jerseys -- overall General Classification, Sprint, King of the Mountains and Best Young Rider. Italian Nibali of course for Yellow, then Peter Sagan for Green - 431 over 232 points for 2nd place, Rafal Maika of Poland - 182 over 168 points, and Thibault Pinot respectively. And a prize but not a jersey also given for Most Agressive Rider. Team championship to AG2R -- NOT one of the huge budget teams.
There were 3 days in England -- Leeds, Sheffield, London -- and days in Belgium and Spain. Cobblestones. One time trial at Stage 20. Alps followed directly by the Pyrenees. Ah, Le Col de Tourmaline. Categorie 4, 3, 2, 1, HC -- Beyond Classification -- climbs.
Spectacular crashes with big names out. 100° heat. Terrible rains. 60 mph descents on narrow mountain curves. The relentless sinuous living thing which is the peloton. A crowd which waited for and cheered and pounded on the sheet metal barriers for an American in so much back pain he sat on a guardrail for four minutes before limping in safely under the time cutoff for that stage -- and then withdrawing.
164 of 199 riders finished after over 2000 miles to the Champs-Élysées. France wins second and third place podium positions.
And how many championships do the competitors clink champagne flutes in the middle of the competition?
Exciting stuff. I love it.
Dr. Phil
And now we've just finished Stage 21 and the 101er Le Tour de France, Live From Paris on NBCSports.
-- Vincenzo Nibali wins the Yellow Jersey. He led for most of the Tour, 7 minutes 32 seconds ahead -- and something like the biggest margin of victory since 1977.
-- Marcel Kittel won his fourth stage and a repeat of his 2013 Stage 21 win.
There are so many victories along the way. There was a run to be the man leading the race at the bell, the last lap. Points in Sprint zones and King of the Mountains climbs. Stage wins. Yellow, Green, red & white Polka Dot and White jerseys -- overall General Classification, Sprint, King of the Mountains and Best Young Rider. Italian Nibali of course for Yellow, then Peter Sagan for Green - 431 over 232 points for 2nd place, Rafal Maika of Poland - 182 over 168 points, and Thibault Pinot respectively. And a prize but not a jersey also given for Most Agressive Rider. Team championship to AG2R -- NOT one of the huge budget teams.
There were 3 days in England -- Leeds, Sheffield, London -- and days in Belgium and Spain. Cobblestones. One time trial at Stage 20. Alps followed directly by the Pyrenees. Ah, Le Col de Tourmaline. Categorie 4, 3, 2, 1, HC -- Beyond Classification -- climbs.
Spectacular crashes with big names out. 100° heat. Terrible rains. 60 mph descents on narrow mountain curves. The relentless sinuous living thing which is the peloton. A crowd which waited for and cheered and pounded on the sheet metal barriers for an American in so much back pain he sat on a guardrail for four minutes before limping in safely under the time cutoff for that stage -- and then withdrawing.
164 of 199 riders finished after over 2000 miles to the Champs-Élysées. France wins second and third place podium positions.
And how many championships do the competitors clink champagne flutes in the middle of the competition?
Exciting stuff. I love it.
Dr. Phil
